Basics of Electlicity

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Basics of Electric Circuit

Current, Voltage, and Resistance
When two tanks filled with water are
connected with a pipe, the water flows
from the pipe with the higher water level
into the pipe with the lower water level.

Electricity flows from high to low

potential.

Water
pressure
Battery

Voltage

Current

If the inside of the water pipe is

clogged, the water flow becomes more
difficult.

Unit

Symbol

Current: The strength of the current flow.

A (ampere)

Voltage: The pressure causing the current to flow.

V (volt)

Resistance: Resistance prevents current flow.

(ohm)

Ohm's Law
Ohm's law states that, in an electric circuit, the current passing through a conductor
between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference (i.e., voltage
difference or voltage) between the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance
between them.
Voltage (V) = Current (A) x Resistance ()
E
=
I
x
R

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Direct Current and Alternating Current

Direct current (DC)

Alternating current (AC)

Symbol

Direction of voltage

Voltage

Voltage

Time

Time

The size of the voltage does not

change with time.

The size of the voltage changes

with time.

Direction of current flow

The direction of current flow

reverses with time.

The direction of current flow

does not change with time.
Commonly used power supplies

100 V AC

1.5 V DC

Commonly Used Units

Unit
109
106
103
10-3
10-6
10-9

Name
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Milli
Micro
Nano

Symbol
G
M
k
m

Example
GHz, GByte
MHz, M
k, kV, kW, km
mA, mV, m, mm
m, A, F (Farad: capacitance)
ns (s: second)

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Frequency
The charge in an alternating current alternates between positive and negative at a fixed
interval. One of these waves is known as a cycle and the number of times a cycle repeats
in one second is called the frequency. The unit used for the frequency is hertz (Hz).
1st
cycle

49th
cycle

2nd
cycle

50th
cycle

1 cycle
1 second

Types of Loads
Loads is object That Consumes Electricity

Lamp

Motor

Heater

Power (Power Consumption)

Power represents the amount of work that electricity can perform in one second.
Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (A)
P

Rating
Defines the maximum current and voltage that can be applied to electrical instruments,
including the plug and outlet.
Toaster Oven

2004

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Basics of Electronic parts

Semiconductors
If materials in general are classified according to their ability to conduct electricity, they
can be divided into three groups.
Conductors

Semiconductors

Nonconductors (insulators)

Materials that conduct

Materials that conduct or Materials that do not

electricity easily.

do not conduct electricity conduct electricity easily.

easily depending on its
state.

Metals

Silicone, germanium

Rubber, plastic, glass

Diodes
Diodes are a combination of a P-type semiconductor and N-type semiconductor. The
diodes allow electricity to flow in a certain direction, while preventing electricity from
flowing in the other direction. A diode is an electronic device that can be embedded in a
circuit when electricity needs to be applied only in a certain direction.
Structure

N type

Symbol

P type

Reverse Direction

Forward Direction

Diode

Diode
Lamp
Lamp

When the direction of

the diode is changed,
Power supply

Electric current will not flow.

Power supply

Electric current will flow.

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Transistors
A transistor is a device that joins a P-type semiconductor or N-type semiconductor at the
PN junction of a diode. Transistors allow a large amount of current to be applied using a
small amount of current.
When a small amount of current is applied to B (base), current is applied between C
(collector) and E (emitter) according to the amplification of the transistor.
NPN Transistor
Structure

Emitter

N type

P N type
type

PNP Transistor
Emitter

P type

Collector

Base

type P type
Base

Symbol

NOTE

Switching Circuit of a Transistor

When the switch is replaced by a transistor
Switch Circuit

Transistor Circuit

Lamp
Switch

Electricity
C

Lamp

B
E

Power
supply

When force is applied to

the switch, the contacts
will turn ON and the lamp
will light.

Power
supply

When a current is
applied to the base, the
transistor will turn ON
and the lamp will light.

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Collector

Capacitors
Capacitors consist of two opposing metal plates called electrodes and an insulator that is
positioned between the plates. The capacitor stores electricity in an electric circuit. The
stored electricity is discharged in a constant amount as needed.
Structure

Symbol

When the switch is turned ON, current is

instantaneously applied to the capacitor,
charging it. Current is applied to the resistor
as well.

When the switch is turned OFF, the

electricity charged in the capacitor is
discharged to the resistor.

Light-emitting Diode (LED)

An LED generates light when a current is applied. It
operates only when the current flows in a forward
direction. There are several colors of LEDs, including
red, green, and orange. In controllers, they are
sometimes used as indicators to indicate the operating
state.

Constant-voltage Diode
When a voltage called the zener voltage is exceeded, a
current will flow rapidly, and the constant-voltage diode
will hold the voltage at a constant level.
Constant-voltage diodes are used by sensors to protect
electric circuits.

Phototransistor
C
B

A phototransistor is a transistor that operates upon

receiving light. When the base receives light from
outside, a large amount of current can be applied

between the collector and emitter.

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Photocoupler
A photocoupler is a combination of an LED and
phototransistor. It is turned ON and OFF with the light
Light

from the LED.

IC and LSI
An IC is a chip with a small electric circuit that includes a
combination of diodes, transistors, and resistors.
An LSI is an IC chip that combines even more electronic
elements.

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